Delay doc appts to avoid med facilities during COVID pandemic?

JaneQPoppy

Not sure what forum to put this in...

I'm at the end of five years post-lumpectomy and have my regular annual mammogram scheduled in two weeks. Annual visit with onc three weeks after that. I don't really want to go into a medical facility right now for anything that's not an emergency. I've left a voicemail (today's Sunday) with the onc's nurse, asking if we can postpone both visits. For how long? Well, I don't know... nobody knows how long the serious risk of COVID is going to go on or how bad it's going to get. I'm 71 and also have type 2 diabetes. I'm retired and pretty much staying home. I don't want to expose myself to whatever might be flying/crawling around the one facility where I get mammograms and the other one where my onc's office is. I usually wait for the onc for an hour and a half and see her for 15
minutes. She feels my boobs, and I'm outta there. Surely we can skip or delay under the circumstances?

I've had clear mammograms for the last four years. One year I did have to have a biopsy, but it turned out to be nothing (THAT was scary). I've been on Arimidex for the whole five years and have been soooo looking forward to stopping it! Sigh. Maybe she'll give me the go-ahead to let this prescription run out even if I don't see her til later this year.

Anyone else thinking along these lines, i.e., avoiding the doctor's physical office during these trying times?

MinusTwo

Jane - If it were me, I'd sure delay the mammogram for now given your risk factors. You're over 5 years out. Do you see the MO once a year or every 6 months? I'd call them, but likely delay that visit too unless you have any urgent issues to discuss.

Do you have access to "My Chart"? That is really a wonderful way to interact with docs - even before the virus.

That said, I'm wrestling with whether to cancel an eye doc appointment to finally get glasses after cataract surgery last fall & laser surgery last month (long story). I know if I cancel, it will be at least 3 months before I can get another appointment. Since I don't expect this virus to 'melt away', that will still be problematic for people at high risk. Hard choices!!! Good luck with your decision.

JaneQPoppy

MinusTwo, I see her every year. I saw her every 6 months for the first two years. I'll talk to the onc's nurse when she calls me back. She's like a first sergeant and runs a taut ship-- excuse my mixed military metaphors.

I did use My Chart to cancel my other appointment, but I've gone into the "sent" folder several times since I sent the message and it says "has not been read by staff yet." My Chart messages only work if the staff reads them, right?

I'd certainly keep my eyeglass appointment if I were you. There won't be a crowd there, you won't be there long, and you can easily keep a distance from everyone except the person who measures your face. You really want to enjoy the benefits of your cataract surgery and not have to wait any longer. I had both mine done, and when I renewed my driver's license, I took the eye test without my glasses. Wheee!

MinusTwo

Jane - Good for you. If they're not answering My Chart, I'd give them a call first thing in the AM.

My hesitation about the eye doc is two fold. I have a friend who is 85 and PCP said she could safely see any of her docs except an ophthalmologist. Faces are too close. The other issue is I'm in Houston and my doc is at the medical center - three trillion people. 18-20 elevators in her building. Well, maybe a bit of exaggeration. Three million - unless they're all staying home because they're scared.

AliceBastable

I have an appointment at the end of this month with my PCP that I'm thinking of cancelling. She's been seeing me every three months for general stuff, nothing dire. I'm a type 2 diabetic but I do okay with a daily Metformin, and I've got a good supply. My blood pressure is well-controlled over the last year or so. Mostly she just bitches about my weight. 🙄 I think I can pass on that for now. I'll probably wait and see what's going on this week on the news, and what general advice we get on going places. I may also cancel my regular MO appointment at the end of April if things are still screwy corona-wise, but I don't have to decide for awhile.

I've seen that kidney disease puts a person on the more-endangered list, but I don't have actual kidney disease - I'm just operating on one kidney because the other was removed in September 2018. My numbers show stage 3 ( out of 5), but the nephrologist I saw in February said that's pretty normal for a uni-kidney patient. I guess I'll just keep my liquid level up.

MinusTwo

Alice - I too am waiting to get closer to the appointments. But glad you're not going to put yourself at risk.

Yogatyme

My husband got an email from our Vet saying they were still open but asked that people not come into the clinic but rather stay in their cars with their animal. Someone from the clinic will come out when an exam room was ready and would escort you & animal in but they want no one in the waiting room. I got an email from my bc clinic with info about how they are managing but nothing as directive as the Vet.

CinD

Jane, I'm in a similar position. My yearly mammogram is scheduled for later this week. It should have been done in February, but things popped up that prevented it. I'm 10 years out and just finishing Tamoxifen. I've had lung problems and have had pneumonia a couple of times. I talked it over with the husband today, and we think it will be best to postpone. I'm calling the imaging center this morning and asking for an early June appointment. Good luck with whatever you decide.

Ingerp

I have ophthalmologist and gyn appts this week and did not know what to do. Both are follow-ups, so not crucial. I had a (coronavirus-related) meeting pop up today for when my oph appt is so I decided to cancel that one. Gyn is on Friday--guess I'll see where things are Thursday-ish. Difficult to know which way to go on all this stuff.

pesky904

I just canceled my dentist appointment for today. I also have an eye appointment coming up that I'm rescheduling. It's hard to know what to do and there's such limited information. Last week this seemed like everything was just going to be "take precaution" but then last Thursday it was like a switch flipped and it got "real" real fast. Schools are closed for weeks, and last night we got word basically the entire town has shut down. Gyms are closed, many stores are closed.

Maybe in two weeks, I'll feel more comfortable rescheduling everything.

bcincolorado

We care calling today to cancel my onco follow-up appointment as well as appointments we have at 2 other places for neurology appointments. DH is a transplant patient and even though not in treatment currently as someone almost 60 with other health issues we re both in risk categories and trying to social distance if we can. DH actually had his doctors cancel his appointments and say not to come in.

JaneQPoppy

This thing really is moving fast!

My onc's nurse called me back this morning and agreed that postponing my mammogram is fine. My appt with the onc is at the end of April and we left that for now, subject to more changes in the situation. I called to change the mammogram and the person there said they're rescheduling all of them for June. So they're on top of things.

I also canceled the wellness visit. I want to STAY well.

In other happy news: I called the mail-order pharmacy and canceled my prescription for Arimidex!! Hooray!! I have enough on hand for three more months and then I'm at the end of five years and DONE! :-)

AliceBastable

JaneQPoppy

Congratulations on nearing the Arimidex finish line! I hope things have returned to normal by then so you can celebrate!

I've decided to cancel my PCP appointment. Maybe I'd go if it was in a free-standing building, but it's in a large medical complex with lots of lobby and elevator traffic. No matter how clean they keep it, they can't sanitize after every person.

Dani444

I am supposed to see my PS,MO, RO, and dermatologist all in April. My worry is the fact that I work in the emergency room. It worries me that I am in contact with covid pt’s without knowing it. We have had very specific guidelines for testing but things are changing. I would not want to sit in a busy waiting room at the MO office and potentially put anyone in harms way. I plan to call when it gets closer to see what they think. Wishing everyone the best during these difficult times.

DebraC

Hi, I’m a year out from lumpectomy, chemo and radiation. I regularly babysit my 3 1/2 year old grandson once a week. He’s been going to preschool, his last day was Friday. Now shut down til mid April. im not sure if I should watch him or not. My husband is 68 and good health. Although yesterday he started feeling off. No fever, but lots of fatigue.
SF Bay Area is going on shelter in place (lock down) for 3 weeks. We don’t live there but close enough.

Not sure what I should do.

Rah2464

I had surgery planned this Thursday to attempt to eliminate a pain issue I am having with my reconstruction (nipple sparing direct to implant). The surgery has been deemed non-essential and cancelled indefinitely to allow doctors and nurses to focus on patient care with Covid 19 or other life threatening emergencies. I was anxious about going ahead with the surgery given everything going on and it was a relief to have the decision made for me by the doctors. I figure I have dealt with the pain this long, a few more months won't matter that much.

Salamandra

Dani, thank you for the work you do, and the risks you take to do it.

DebraC, I think that if your grandson's childcare can be managed without you, it would be better not to risk it.

Rah2464, I'm sorry you'll have to deal with the pain for longer. I hope it won't be too bad.

Wishing strength all around!

Rah2464

Thanks Salamandra!

Padug

I am suppose to start radiation next week -5 days a week for 5 to 6 weeks at a major hospital in a major city - a hospital where they are testing and treating COVID. I am home because my work closed to slow down the spread of the virus. I live in a rural area with a small population and currently am having very little contact with anyone other than my husband. Should I go in 5 days a week and increase my risk of exposure? The hospital said they were not going to put off my radiation, but all support services for cancer patients are suspended for 6 weeks. If I postpone, I don’t know if things will be any better or worse with the virus situation latter and it will delay my reconstruction. I have a tissue expander that has been in since October. How long can that stay in? The radiation will scar part of my lung - putting me more at risk? Wondering what to do

AnnC2019

Hi Padug,

I've had my TE in since August and finished radiation mid-December. I would also like to know how long I can keep this in. I have some radiation damage to my lungs after 25 sessions, so that could impact me if I get covid 19.

flashlight

I received a called yesterday from my MO office. All follow up appointments are cancelled until May and Mammograms will be scheduled for the 2nd half of the year. They have a staff available to answer questions/problems. I would give your surgeon a call. Padug I would call your RO and find out what their plan is and how they are keeping their patients safe. Where I went it was a separate entrance/parking lot from the main hospital. Maybe they would agree to letting you start at a later date. Good luck.

Salamandra

Hey Padug,

I would not expect things to be better in 6 weeks - I think it's likely that hospitals will still be dealing with extremely high covid19 related caseloads.

I would expect your reconstruction to be delayed in any case.

thisiknow

Wishing the best for everyone here. My one dream did come true... having a clean Calendar with no appts of any kind for a long time (really didn't want to get it this way though). I only had to postpone my baseline Mammo, which happened to be on the same day that the hospital closed all but one entrance. I just didn't feel good about going in and out of that one door.

So here's hoping that all of us can avoid this virus, or at the least get a mild overcome-able case with an immunity from it. God bless you all!

bcincolorado

AnnC2019 you may want to check with your doctors about that since you are in the mid reconstruction. You do not want to expose to additional germs if you do not have to at this point if ok to left it alone for a bit even though not how you want to finish with your outcome from your cancer surgeries at this point. You may be able to email or send a message even online since I know our docs here do that. Best wishes too.

jessie123

I struggled for so long trying to decide whether or not to go to my first MRI after surgery which was last Monday. On the morning of the MRI I called and canceled because to me the danger of COVID-19 was greater than putting off my MRI 4 months or so. I know that I'm taking a chance, but I figure I probably had that cancer for years before it was discovered andI I lived --- plus my surgery wasn't performed for 4 months after I found the cancer and I lived that time also. To me what is so potentially dangerous at this time is the lack of testing and the many medical people who may be infected and don't yet show symptoms.

sweetp6217

IMO, "mychart" is for the birds, right now. I found out that my medical groups are triaging over the phone, so at least I can get my words out.

Recovery95

I am 9 months out of lumpectomy and 6 months out of radiation treatments, had 3 d mammogram in December that was clear. My medical oncologist has seen me every 3 months. I had follow up appt scheduled for 3/16/20 but her office called a few days prior to cancel it, said they would call me back and reschedule but don,t know when. This all has been real scary, I am 64 live alone. My husband died from cancer 2 years ago, l do have family that live close but am concerned about exposure to virus. I live in rural Texas hill county. Glad to have all you you for support. Please take care of youselves

MinusTwo

Sweetpea - I have 3 of 4 docs at different hospitals/clinics who are answering my questions on my chart before 24 hours has passed. Sorry you're not having good luck.

My PCP cancelled for next week & asked if I wanted to reschedule or do a teleconference. I'll see her in August. I cancelled the eye doc and rescheduled for the end of May. Might not be far enough down the road, but it's a start.

AliceBastable

thisiknow

I cancelled an appointment with my primary doc, and realized it's my first appointment-free month since last August. I'll take the break!

jessie123

At Stage 1b with no nodes, and ER+/PR+ Her-, it would be highly unlikely for you to have a recurrence or mets, especially this soon.

jcerroni241

I am wondering about your spouses- is anyone concerned with them working and bringing any illness home?

Mine works in hvac service field- and we are not sure if he should continue working, as me and my daughter stay home.

What are your thoughts?

Salamandra

jcerroni241,

That is a very valid concern, and part of the reason that governments are starting to shut down nonessential businesses.

If your husband's work is deemed essential (as hvac for medical and logistical facilities might be), then the question will remain. I know of some families where people are actually moving apart for this shelter in place, so that people doing vital (financially necessary) work can keep doing it and medically vulnerable people can be as protected as possible.

That said, if you and your daughter don't have any additional health risks, then just having him be very careful coming inside and with cleaning and hygiene might be a reasonable precaution while he keeps going to work.